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Seplat Energy Takes Media Workshop To Imo State, Empowers 25 Journalists

Manager, Corporate Communications, Seplat Energy Plc, Stanley Opara; Management Team of ELOH Consulting; CEO, DFD Smart & Standard Concept, Dan Aibangbe; and journalists, during a Media Capacity Building Workshop organized by Seplat Energy for journalists in Owerri, Imo State as part of its human capital development initiative …recently.

Seplat Energy Plc, leading Nigeria indigenous energy company, has continued its tradition of empowering the media with knowledge and tools for professional growth through a two-day capacity-building workshop for journalists in Imo State. The training, held in Owerri, brought together 25 journalists from both print and electronic media across the state for an intensive learning experience designed to enhance communication, writing, and digital storytelling skills.

In his opening remarks on behalf of the Director, External Affairs & Social Performance, Chioma Afe; the Manager Corporate Communications, Stanley Opara, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to nurturing media partnerships that promote transparency, accountability, and national development. He emphasized Seplat Energy’s role in supporting journalists to adapt to the fast-evolving digital and technological landscape.

“We consider excellence as cardinal in everything we do. The critical role of the media in shaping narratives and culture makes it very important to embed global best practice in its delivery. This is what we need to drive development in Nigeria, and Seplat Energy is well aligned on this,” Opara said.

The Base Manager, Eastern Assets, Mr. Emmanuel Otokhine, encouraged journalists to make the most of the robust training and capacity-building opportunity, advising them to remain spontaneous, adaptable, and open to exploring career prospects that leverage their transferable skills.

The workshop featured insightful sessions led by Dr. Solomon Avbioroko, who explored the psychology of communication, professional interaction, and the importance of self-awareness in journalism. Participants engaged in interactive exercises and assessments that deepened their understanding of effective storytelling and newsroom productivity.

Media expert Mr. Nnamdi Uwaemulem facilitated practical modules on report writing and mobile video journalism (MOJO), introducing participants to the art of creating impactful stories using smartphones, from framing and lighting to mobile editing. His second session, Media Transformation and Emerging Opportunities, examined how digital disruption is reshaping the industry and opened participants’ eyes to new opportunities in media entrepreneurship and content creation.

Another facilitator, Mr. Abiola Adedeji, guided participants through Understanding Digital Marketing and Social Media Strategy, highlighting how data-driven storytelling and analytics can amplify journalistic impact across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Participants described the experience as both practical and transformative, commending Seplat Energy for its sustained investment in human capital development. The company’s initiative once again underscores its belief that skilled and informed media remains critical to driving sustainable national development and shaping positive public discourse.

Kebbi Tragic School Attack : UNICEF Calls For Stronger Protection Of Children

UNICEF Calls for Stronger Protection of Children Following Tragic School  Attack in Kebbi, Northwest Nigeria By Winifred Bosa

UNICEF strongly condemns the reported attack on a Government Girls School in the Maga community of Kebbi State, in Northwest Nigeria, which resulted in the death of the school’s Vice-Principal of the school and the reported abduction of 25 students.

According to a press release by UNICEF, this tragic incident is yet another stark reminder of the urgent need to protect children, schools and the personnel they rely upon to learn safely

“We stand with the affected community at this difficult time, our heartfelt condolences go to those who have lost their loved ones, and we wish a full recovery for those injured.”

UNICEF further urges the swift release of the abducted children.

Students, education facilities, and their personnel should be protected under international law from any form of attack, and those responsible for this incident must be held to account in accordance with national and international standards.

In 2015, the Nigerian government endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration, which outlines concrete steps to safeguard the civilian nature of schools and universities to ensure safe access of students to education during conflict. UNICEF calls on all relevant stakeholders to continue efforts to implement the Safe Schools Declaration in Nigeria.

“UNICEF is working with government partners, civil society and communities to strengthen child protection systems and promote safe and inclusive learning environments across the country. These systems and environments must be reinforced to prevent future tragedies.”

“No child should be put at risk while pursuing an education.”

Unity Bank MD Tasks Youths On Savings Culture At World Savings Day

Unity Bank MD Tasks Youths on Savings Culture at World Savings DayAmaka Obiefuna 

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole, has renewed the Bank’s call for young Nigerians to embrace a savings culture, urging them to see savings as a lifelong discipline for creating stability and financial resilience.

 

 

 

Mr. Kolawole gave the charge while addressing students of Alvana Model Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State, as part of the financial literacy training organized by the Bank to mark this year’s World Savings Day.

 

 

 

Represented by Mr. William Odigie, Unity Bank’s Zonal Head, South East/South South, Mr. Kolawole reaffirmed Unity Bank’s commitment to deepening financial inclusion among young Nigerians as it joined global institutions to commemorate this year’s World Savings Day, themed “Beyond Savings – Building Financial Resilience.”

 

 

 

The Bank participated in nationwide Financial Literacy Training sessions held simultaneously across the country, an initiative led by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Bankers’ Committee, Deposit Money Banks and Junior Achievement Nigeria, aimed at improving financial inclusion and equipping young people with essential money management skills.

 

 

 

Speaking during the training, Mr. Kolawole stressed that “savings is foundational to financial planning, financial management and investment, and therefore the Youth must imbibe the culture of savings not just as mere financial activity, but to enable them to create financial security and independence in the long run”.

 

 

 

He noted that Unity Bank continues to prioritise financial literacy initiatives because early exposure to money management helps young people mitigate uncertainties and economic shocks that may hinder their ability to meeting goals.

 

 

 

The training sessions, facilitated by Unity Bank staff across multiple states, exposed students to practical lessons on budgeting, financial goals and seminar classes and workshops. 

 

 

World Savings Day, celebrated annually on October 31, promotes the importance of savings as a cornerstone of economic resilience. In Nigeria, Deposit Money Banks collaborate with the CBN and partner organisations to deliver training programmes that equip students with lifelong financial skills.

 

 

 

Unity Bank’s participation reflects its ongoing dedication to supporting youth development and strengthening the financial literacy ecosystem across the country.

 

2025 PMI® Awards : Project Management Institute Celebrates Africa’s Rising Stars 

By Winifred Bosa

 MTN Ghana (L-R) Pierre Le Manh, President & CEO, Project Management Institute, Ing. Emmanuel Hinson, Project Coordinator, MTN Ghana, William Tetteh, Chief Transformation Officer, MTN Ghana, and Ike Nwankwo, PMI Board of Directors Chair

Project Management Institute (PMI), the world’s leading authority for project professionals, has announced the winners of the 2025 PMI® Awards at a ceremony held during the PMI® Global Summit in Phoenix, Arizona.

The prestigious annual awards celebrate the individuals, teams, and organisations that shape the future through excellence in project management.

This year, Sub-Saharan Africa once again proved its growing influence on the global project management stage, with four awardees recognised for their outstanding leadership, innovation, and social impact. Representing Angola, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and South Africa, these honourees exemplify how African project professionals are driving transformation across industries, communities, and borders.

Marco Romero

Angolan Marco Romero was named the global winner of the 2025 PMI® Rising Leader Award, which honours early-career professionals who are already making significant contributions to the profession. Romero’s recognition underscores the region’s growing youth-driven innovation and its capacity to deliver global standards of project excellence.

“Marco’s win is a testament to the talent and determination that defines Africa’s next generation of project leaders,” said George Asamani, Managing Director, PMI Sub-Saharan Africa. “He embodies the spirit of possibility and purpose that we see across the continent, a belief that great ideas, when managed with rigour and passion, can change lives and reshape industries.”

In recent years, Marco has focused his work on advancing Angola’s emerging space ecosystem and inspiring youth through STEM and project-based learning. As a Ballistic and Navigation Satellite Operator Specialist at the Angolan Office for Space Affairs and National Point of Contact for the Space Generation Advisory Council, he has led initiatives such as establishing an Analog Site in Namibe, organising Space Mission Design Workshops, and developing programmes that bridge science, technology, and project management.

As one of the lead mentors alongside Marco Carlos, he played a pivotal role in transforming the “PMI Angola Chapter Goes to Space” concept into a structured, results-driven learning experience. Two stratospheric balloons were successfully launched in November 2025 and recovered. Drawing on his project management expertise and passion for education, Marco guided 30 students through every phase of the project, demonstrating how professional project management frameworks can make even the most ambitious ideas achievable.

The MTN Ghana Project Management Office (PMO) was named the Africa PMO of the Year, a category within the prestigious PMO of the Year® Awards. This honour recognises PMOs that deliver exceptional value through leadership, strategic alignment, and executional excellence.

MTN Ghana’s PMO stood out for its transformative role in aligning large-scale technology initiatives with business strategy, demonstrating how disciplined project governance enables innovation and customer value creation at scale. Their recognition places Ghana at the forefront of enterprise project management maturity in Africa and positions MTN as a model for how African organisations can leverage PMOs to drive operational excellence and strategic agility.

The PMI Ghana Chapter was named a regional finalist for the prestigious PMI® Chapter of the Year Award, which celebrates chapters that demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact within the global PMI community.
Stéphanie-Laure Zoro from the PMI Côte d’Ivoire Chapter was honored with the PMI® Chapter Leadership Impact Award, which recognises volunteer leaders who elevate their chapters through mentorship, collaboration, and innovation. Zoro’s leadership has played a pivotal role in strengthening the project management community in West Africa, fostering collaboration across borders, and nurturing the next generation of professionals.

South Africa’s Greenpoint Educational Dome, designed to promote environmental awareness, sustainability, and the adoption of mass timber building practices, received an Honourable Mention in the Social Project category of the PMI® Project of the Year Awards.

The project was celebrated for its creative use of design and project management to enhance access to educational spaces, demonstrating how project methodologies can support sustainable community development.

The achievements of these winners reflect a broader transformation across Sub-Saharan Africa, where project management is becoming a cornerstone of national development, enterprise growth, and youth empowerment.

Speaking recently at the Global Summit Series Africa, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, former President of the African Development Bank, noted that African project professionals are now delivering world-class results, from the Dangote Refinery in Nigeria to the Noor Power Station in Morocco. They demonstrate that Africa’s talent can plan, execute, and deliver complex projects to global standards.

“These accolades are catalysts to shine a spotlight on project management as a career of choice for Africa’s next generation. As PMI’s Global Project Management Talent Gap 2025 report shows, Sub-Saharan Africa will need to add up to 2.1 million project professionals by 2035, marking a 75% surge in demand, one of the fastest growth rates globally. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report echoes this outlook, identifying project management as one of the top roles expected to see sustained growth globally,” adds Asamani.

 

Gov Sanwo-Olu Of Lagos States  Management Visits Cadbury Nigeria @ 60

 

L-R: Mr. Babatunde Onigbanjo, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment; Dr. Rotimi Fashola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems; Dr. Wole Odubayo, Human Resource Director, Cadbury Nigeria Plc; Mrs. Oyeyimika Adeboye, Managing Director, Cadbury Nigeria; His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State; Mrs. Morolake Emopkaire, Marketing Lead, Cadbury Nigeria; Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor, Lagos State; Mr. Sam Egube, Deputy Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor; Mrs. Folashade Bada Medebem, Hon. Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment; with Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Hon. Commissioner, Agriculture and Food Systems, Lagos State, during a courtesy visit by the leadership team of the company to State House, Marina, Lagos, recently, as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations.
L-R: Mrs. Oyeyimika Adeboye, Managing Director, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, in a handshake with His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor of Lagos State, during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the company to State House, Marina, Lagos, recently, as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations.